Disney has raised the prices on Lightning Lane Premier Pass, the top-tier of paid FastPass, to a new record high at Disneyland and California Adventure effective later this month. Here are full details, when higher prices hit, and what this means for other price increases at Walt Disney World and DLR for the start of the new fiscal year.
For starters, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass price increase is neither surprising nor unexpected. Rather, it’s likely a leading indicator of other “adjustments” (Disney’s preferred term) on the horizon. This always happens at the start of the new fiscal year, which is something we covered over the weekend in Act Fast to Beat Price Increases at Walt Disney World & Disneyland for 2025-2026.
In fact, that article specifically predicted that, “in all likelihood, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will raise rates on or around October 8, 2025.” That’s a very specific date, but it’s more or less when prices went up in each of the last three years.
It’s usually around the first week in October, on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Both coasts will likely revert to the same date this year in the (presumptive) absence of a hurricane closure. This was a safe prediction because higher prices occur year in and out on a consistent and predictable schedule.
It now also appears to be an accurate prediction. Let’s take a look at the Lightning Lane Premier Pass pricing calendar for Disneyland:
As you can see, Lightning Lane Premier Pass hits a new record high price of $449 on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. That’s not a holiday or anything special–but it is the date that we previously predicted price increases would hit. That’s probably not a coincidence.
The price of Lightning Lane Premier Pass varies by date and demand, but is typically priced between $299 and $399 per person, per day. Up until October 8, 2025, it had not broken the $399 barrier–not even on peak season holiday dates.
This suggests that $449 is not necessarily the new price ceiling; just the highest price we have visibility into, since October 8, 2025 is currently as far out as the calendar goes. If that’s the price in midweek before Fall Break season kicks into high gear, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if LLPP hits $499 or even breaks the $500 barrier around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Note that these price increases do not appear when perusing the Lightning Lane Premier Pass (or even Multi-Pass or Single Pass) calendars for Walt Disney World.
However, I also wouldn’t expect that to be the case. Price increases on Lightning Lanes around the start of the new fiscal year are common at Disneyland. Although both coasts use dynamic pricing, Disneyland’s rates on Lightning Lanes fluctuate less–there’s a tighter range with only a handful of common price points. Not only that, but Lightning Lane Multi-Pass can be purchased preloaded with tickets. That’s no longer possible at Walt Disney World.
It’s been common for each of the last 3-4 rounds of price increases to see an increase on the peak price of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass (or Genie+ before it) at Disneyland. This has not been the case with Walt Disney World, which instead usually sets new record high prices between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We would expect this to be true once again in 2025, with record-high prices for Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass at Walt Disney World closer to Christmas as opposed to sometime in October. (It usually happens the weekend or Monday before Christmas.)
Disney raising the price on Lightning Lane Premier Pass is bound to be met with fan backlash. I know this because every price increase prompts that reaction. So here goes my unpopular opinion: I hope they raise the price on Lightning Lane Premier Pass even more, and also at Walt Disney World.
Hear me out. Lightning Lane Premier Pass is an upmarket product offering aimed at a very small percentage of guests. It has also become one of the few new sources of revenue growth for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and was even cited as such on at least two earnings calls since its launch.
I have never and will never purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass. However, I don’t begrudge anyone who does purchase this or any other paid FastPass option; everyone should spend their money as they see fit. As discussed later in the post, I actually think Lightning Lane Premier Pass could be a worthwhile option, especially for those whose scarcest resource is their time as opposed to their money.
As someone who is not the target audience for LLPP, I also see price increases on it as a net positive in a couple of ways.
First, higher prices for Lightning Lane Premier Pass might mean more guests hitting their balking point.
That’s theoretically good for the standby experience, as it would mean less attraction capacity is allocated to Lightning Lanes. This is the more straightforward upside to higher prices on LLPP being good for those who don’t buy, but I think it’s probably exaggerated. For one, I’m skeptical it nets far fewer sales (if Disney had data that it did, they wouldn’t be raising prices). For another, guests aren’t going from LLPP to standby–they shift to LLMP or maybe VIP Tours. So it’s really rearranging deck chairs, at best.
Finally, I don’t think LLPP is what’s causing issues with standby lines. Although Lightning Lane utilization has not dropped by nearly the same degree at Disneyland as it has at Walt Disney World in the last year–it’s very noticeable in Florida, whereas I see no discernible difference in California–I also don’t think Premier Pass has exacerbated the problem. It’s such a small pool of guests; there are bigger issues with the lines.
Second and much more importantly, it’s patently obvious that Disney wants to achieve revenue growth for the parks segment and they’ll will that into happening, one way or another.
There are exceedingly few paths towards this goal as consumer spending tightens. Disney and other companies have repeatedly discussed how consumers at the lower end of the spectrum are becoming more cost-conscious. As Disney raises prices on park admission and other ‘essential’ elements of the park experience, they shed guests. I view this as a bad thing; it means more people being priced out.
Accordingly, the best option for growing revenue is increased discounts on higher volume. This is something we’ve seen this summer as Walt Disney World and Disneyland improved their hotel occupancy number on flat attendance (a goldilocks scenario since it did not mean higher crowds). I doubt anyone reading this would object to better discounts with the only “downside” being that more hotel rooms are filled. It’s pretty much the optimal win-win proposition.
From my perspective (but perhaps more debatable), another great option is creating new revenue streams out of thin air (Lightning Lane Premier Pass last year) or raising prices on those that are upmarket niche offerings.
If October 8th rolls around and the only prices to go up are those on VIP Tours, valet parking, fireworks cruises, dessert parties, behind the scenes tours–that sort of thing–it’ll be a big win. To each their own, but I’m fine with higher prices on anything in the ‘Enchanting Extras’ collection; those are enhancements and not integral to the core park experience.
Honestly, I’d be perfectly fine with price increases on Magic Keys/Annual Passes if no other ticket types had their prices touched. Or, better yet, if Disney decreased some single-day prices to back below the $100 barrier. I’ve said that before, and as much as I know it’s wishful thinking, I want to double-down on it.
I mention this, specifically, because I don’t want anyone to think this is about disdain for the upper class. Price increases on Annual Passes impact me directly, whereas I never buy 1-day park tickets. And yet, I am aware that unlimited (with caveats) access to Walt Disney World and Disneyland is very much a luxury, and I don’t mind that being priced accordingly.
Even though visiting a theme park even once (ever) is also a luxury most of the world’s population will sadly never enjoy, it’s less of one–and I’d like to see as many Americans as possible have that opportunity. If paying higher prices on APs to subsidize lower prices on 1-day tickets is the means to that end, I’m all for it. Of course, I realize that’s not how the math or incentivizing different demographics actually works, but if it theoretically made sense, I’d be in favor.
More parents being able to afford to take their kids to Disneyland for a day is a good thing. Not just for the fandom, the parks, and the company–but as a societal net positive. I’d like to believe that is truly what Walt Disney would’ve wanted when he talked about middle class accessibility, as opposed to pretending he’d be upset about whatever personal pet peeves I have with pricing.
I guess we shall see what happens on October 8, 2025–but in any case, this should serve as another reminder to do what you can now to “protect” yourself from the rest of the potential price increases coming down the pike!
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Basics
For those who aren’t familiar with it, Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience in both of the Disneyland Resort theme parks to enjoy at your leisure that day (valid park admission required).
Lightning Lane Premier Pass includes one entry to each Lightning Lane entrance in the theme park guests are visiting that day, which can be used anytime throughout the day at their convenience – without needing to book an arrival time in advance. In a nutshell, Lightning Lane Premier Pass is Disney’s answer to Universal’s Express Pass.
Some of the added perks of Lightning Lane Premier Pass include:
- All attractions from Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
- Guests can ride the attractions that they want–when they want.
- Lightning Lane Premier Pass will include PhotoPass photo and video downloads.
- Eligible for Park Hopping
Lightning Lane Premier Pass is available in very limited quantities and subject to selling out–which does happen on busier dates.
Lightning Lane Premier Passes can be purchased via the Disneyland app up to 7 days in advance of your park visit, starting at 7:00 AM Pacific Time (subject to very limited quantities). This is a change as of earlier in 2025. Previously, Lightning Lane Premier Pass was available 2 days in advance.
As for logistics of buying Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland, before you begin, make sure that everyone in your party has valid theme park admission and park reservations for the same date, linked to your MyDisney account. All of this is necessary in order to purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes–otherwise, people in your party may not appear to be eligible.
From there, open the Disneyland app and search for “Lightning Lane Premier Pass.” It should also appear in a banner on the home screen. Tap “Purchase” to get started. Follow the prompts to complete your purchase—and receive a confirmation.
Guests who purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass can use the service for one-time access to each available Lightning Lane entrance at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park—for one day, during regular park hours.
Just be sure your park admission includes the Park Hopper benefit. If you don’t have Park Hopping privileges, you’ll need to buy two days of LLPP to use it at both parks, which is far more costly than just upgrading to the Park Hopper option for a single-day.
This is unlike Walt Disney World, where Lightning Lane Premier Pass gives guests one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane entrance in one theme park for one day. Walt Disney World has per-park pricing as a result, and offers no Park Hopper option for LLPP.
The price range is also far more variable for Walt Disney World, starting at $129 and maxing out at $449 (for now) plus tax during peak season. Since there’s no Park Hopper option, you’d have to add the cost of two parks together for an equivalent offering at Walt Disney World–making the actual maximum over $800 after tax.
So really, once you get past the sticker shock of $449 Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland versus the $129 base price at Walt Disney World, the latter actually ends up potentially/theoretically costing much more when it’s most useful or “necessary.”
Setting aside the sticker shock, this is why I think Lightning Lane Premier Pass can be more compelling at Disneyland Resort than Walt Disney World. Line-skipping is also very useful during peak weeks at Walt Disney World. But the difference is that there are four parks (three where you need it), making the cost $1,047 (plus tax!) as opposed to $449 (no tax!). And I’m betting even then, the two parks at Disneyland Resort still have more worthwhile Lightning Lanes than the 3 at Walt Disney World.
Although Lightning Lane Premier Pass is aimed at a very limited audience of affluent guests, that’s a surprising big pool of guests. It includes those staying at any of the three on-site hotels of Disneyland Resort, plus the nearby Westin and JW Marriott (along with the families of convention guests staying elsewhere), and the many other luxury hotels in Orange County.
It’s also true that the collective population of Los Angeles and Orange Counties is approximately 14 million. Once you throw the Inland Empire, San Diego and other areas into the mix within a reasonable driving distance of Disneyland, you have around 25 million potential guests. These local numbers mean there’s a huge guest pool for Disneyland.
It’s probably not going to shock anyone, but there’s a tremendous amount of wealth in Southern California, to say nothing of those other states. There’s probably no shortage of locals who aren’t quite in the market for VIP tours but would buy something like Lightning Lane Premier Pass for a whirlwind day at Disneyland. Some might even prefer the self-guided nature to a VIP tour.
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Disneyland raising prices on Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Hope they do the same at LLPP? Would you be in favor of price increases on “luxury” theme park product offerings if it meant flat pricing on the core elements? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
